In “Heart of a Samurai,” Manjiro is confused by both the boys’ cruelty and the man’s kindness because he encounters contrasting behaviors that challenge his understanding of human nature. The boys’ cruelty represents the harshness and prejudice he faced as an outsider and a foreigner, while the man’s kindness contradicts these negative experiences, leading him to question his perceptions and beliefs about people. This contrast highlights the complexity of human behavior and the range of attitudes and actions that individuals are capable of, leaving Manjiro uncertain about whom to trust and how to navigate his new environment.
